According to Shannon Hammontree : BEGIN THE EXECUTION OF WILLIAM POTTER On June 6 1662. At New Haven, there was a most Umparallel'd Wretch, one Potter by Name, about Sixty years of Age, Executed for Damnable Bestialities; although this Wretch, had been for now Twenty years, a member of the Church in the Place, and kept up among the Holy People of God there a Reputation for serious Christianity. It seems that the Unclean Devil, which had the posession of this Monster, had carried all of his Lusts with so much Fury into this One Channel of Wickedness, that there was no Notice taken of his being Wicked in any other. Hence t'was, that he was devout in Worship, Gifted in Prayer, Forward in Edifying discourse among the Religious, and Zealous in Reproving the Sins of the other People; Everyone counted him, a Saint: And he enjoyed such a Peace in his own mind, that in several Fits of Sickness, wherein he seem'd Nigh unto Death (he said) Smiled on him, Nevertheless, this Diabolical Creature, had lived in most insandous Buggeries for no less than Fifty years together; and now at the Gallows, there were killed before his Eyes, a Cow, Two Heifers, Three Sheep, and Two Sowes, with all of which he had Committed his Brutalities. His Wife had seen him Confounding himself with a Bitch, Ten years before; and he then Executed his Filthiness, as well as he could, unto her, but Conjured her to keep it Secret: but he afterwards Hanged that Bitch himself, and then Returned unto his former Villanies, until at last, his Son, saw him hideously conversing with a Sow. By these means, the burning jelousy of the Lord Jesus Christ, at length made the Churches to know, that he had all this while seen the Covered Filthiness of this Hellish Hyprocite, and Exposed him also to the Just Judgement of Death, from the Civil Court of Judicature. Very Remarkable had been the Warnings, which this Hell Hound, had Received from Heaven, to Report of his Impieties. Many years before this, he had a Daughter, who Dreamt a Dream, which caused her, in her Sleep, to cry out most Bitterly; and her Father, then with much ado obtaining of her, to tell her Dream, She told him, she Dream't, that she was among a great Multitude of People, to see an Execution, and it prov'd her own Father that was to be hang'd, at whose Turning over, she thus cryed out. This happened, before the Time, that any of his Cursed Practices were known unto her. At another Time, when there was a Malefactor adudged in those parts to Dy, for the very same transgressions, which the Rotten Fellow was guilty of, the Governour with some of the Magistrates, most unaccountably, without any manner of Reason, for their so doing, turn'd about unto this Fellow, and said, What think You? Is not this man worthy to Dy? He now confessed, That the Warnings, did so awaken his Conscience, as to make him, for a Time, Leave off his Infernal Debauches; and so he said, He thought all was Pardoned, all was well with him. Nevertheless he Returned unto his Vomit, and his Quagmitr, until the Sentence of Death, at last fell upon him; and then he acknowledged, That He had lived in the Sin of Beastiality, ever since he was Ten years Old, but had sometimes intermitted the Perpetration of it, for some years together. During his Imprisonment, he continued in a Sottish and Stupid, frame of Spirit, and marvellously Secure about his Everlasting Pardon and Welfare: but the Chruch whereto he belonged, kept a Solemn Day of Humiliation on this Occasion, wherein Mr. Davenport Preached on Josh. 22,20. Did not Achan Commit a Trespass, in the Accuresed Thing, and Wrath fell on all the Congegration of Israel? And in the close of the East, that Faithful People of God, Excommunicated this Accursed Achan, from their own Society. But as I have seen Bewitched Self Poisoners, under a Singular Energy of some Devil, obstinately Refuse all offered Relief, until the Poisons had prevaited so far, that all relief was too late, and then with roaring Agonies they would have given Ten Worlds for it; So this Bewitched Beast, that had not been afraid of Dying, till he came to the Place of Execution, when he came There, he was Awakened into a most Unutterable and Intolerable Anguish of Soul, and made most Lamentably Desperate Out cryes; Among which Out crys, he warned men, particularly, to Take heed of Neglecting Secret Prayer; which he said, he never used Secret Prayer in his Life, and that he frequently ommitted Family Prayer too; Yet, he said, he had Prayed and Sinned, and Sinned and Prayed; namley, by Ejaculations, with which he Contented himhelf, throwing Sep-Prayer aside. But so he Perished! Reader, If whole Ages, could have produced such an amazing Story as this, I had not here inserted it! Make a Right Use of it; and stand Amazed at the Judas's, that are sometimes found in the Purest Families of our Lord. CRIME & PUNISHMENT "William Potter was called before ye court to answr to wt charge or accusation as they understand from examination is layd against him, viz: that he hath committed ye sin of bestiality wth sundrie creatures ... he confessed more particularily, the first time he sd was in old England, at prentise, wn he was about eleven yeare old ... he acted with a cow which is now gone ... and he acted this wickedness wth two sowes ... also a yeareling heifer ... ye sentence of ye court, to be executed upon him, viz: that he be hanged on a gallowes till he be dead, & then cut downe & buried, & the creatures with whom he hath thus sinfully acted to be put to death before his eyes."... William had made his will on May 19, 1662, a week before the trial. And so it was on June 6, 1662, that the town paid Thomas Wheadon to hang his former friend, William Potter Source: The Life of Mr. John Davenport Info for this person can be found in the following: New-Haven's Settling in New-England, And some Lawes for Government Charles Hoadly, editor London, 1656 Comments: Records of the Jurisdiction of New Haven, From May, 1653, to the Union (Hartford: Case, Lockwood, & Co., 1858) This early and first volume of laws was printed in London, for the New Haven Colony. I know of only two copies extant of the edition of 500 that were printed. Court: Present, the Government, Deputy Governor, Mr. Fen, Mr. Treat, Mr. Crane, Magistrates. William Potter was called before the court to answer to what charge or accusation as they understand from examination is layd against him, viz: that he hath comitted the sin of bestiality with sundrie creatures. The Governor told him, that first he must mind him of his carriage before the magistrate: when he was examined, that when you heard what your wife & son testified to your face, yet you was not affected as you should have beene, whether true or false, but stood in a stupid way, making deniall of what was testified that they could not fasten it as a charge against him, yet told him that the puidence of God was soe strange in it, (his neare relations thus charging of him.) that if he was guilty God would bring it forth to light, & soe, with as much solemnes as they could, left it with him & alsoe with Mr. Gilbert to gainne any further discovery as he could; and now it seemes since, (it may be by some better dealing with him in the busines, & Gods jealousie against him.) God hath brought it forth out of his owne mouth; and seeing the church hath done their duty, which they well approved of, they as ministere of justice call him to account, to speake the truth in the case, & deale plainely, as standing before the great God of heaven & earth, his judge & theirs, & to make acknowledgment of the facts, how, when, & with what creatures. He answered that first when he was before the magistrates he answered with a distinction, & thought their testimony could not take away his life, but being before the church & helped over something that stucke with him, he did confesse & judge himselfe worthy to be cut off from among men & to be given over to be among devills; And now he confessed more paticularly, the first time he said was in old England, at prentise, when he was about eleven yeare old, & after when he came to New England these temptations followed him, though sometimes they left him some yeares together, & then he thought God did worke upon his soule, & the temptation left him a great while, but after he coming to live at Mr. Gilberts farme it returned againe, & he acted with a cow wiich is now gone, & after coming to his owne farme his lust followed him, though he thought he should have got power against it, & When the man was hanged for the same act he was much startled, but after still the temptation went on, & it strooke a dampe upon his spirit that it was not right with him, & there he acted first with a bitch, which he hanged thinking he should be free from the temptation when she was gone, but it still pursued him, & he acted this wickednes wth two sowes, one of which was that of which his son testifies, there is alsoe a yeareling heifer, a two yeare old, and a cow that he had beene vilely naught withall this spring, alsoe three sheepe, of which he said he told his wife which they were; these was all he said, only his attempting with his old mare which is now dead; & then confessed that he had gone far from God, but prayed, & desired their prayers, that he might not goe further from him and desired to have what meanes might be affoarded for his everlasting good, acknowledging the Lord to be righteous whatever became of him. He was asked with what he covered these wicked courses? He answered that he went on against the checkes of his conscience, & did not consider the compasse of his sin, he had some dislikes of it but was overcome still, & when he son discovered him, he had noe heart to speake to him, but was affected with teares, that he, being an old man, should be a foole in his latter end. He was minded of his sin before the magistrates, that he should speake soe against his knowne light, & of his excusing it to his wife when she told him of it. He said he thought his excusing of it to her was a forerunner of these sins after. Much was said by him by way of acknowledgment of his evill, but in a confused way, as that sometimes he was filled with horror & that his sin lay upon him night & day, & that he was such sins the nature of them did harden his heart, & that he was filled with shame & confusion for the dishonor that he had done to God & that he had caused the name of God to be blasphemed among the heathen. He was told that such sins was judiciary sins, according to Rom. 1, 24, when men like not to retaine God in their knowledge, they are just judgments of God upon such under such light as he hath lived under, & that he should come to such a degree of sinning & to such an age ws a thing to admiration & astonishment of all that heares him. He said he thinkes now all he did was to be seene of men, though sometimes he had other thoughts, yet now he hath nothing but his sin left upon him & is discouraged, & his sins affright him from God, though sometimes some hopes may be in him. He was asked what pvoking sin he sees that might pvoke God thus to leave him? He answered that he had neglected duty in secret, & had not kept his watch over himself & way, & was very unconstant in family duties formerly, though something better of late. He was asked how he was educated? He answered, well, & was taught to reade. He was then seriously advised & warned to take in the agravations of his sin, for he had beene a continuall liver in this sin from his childhood, & that he had beene exceedingly hardened in it, that he should goe on in it after he saw others put to death for the same acts & such like, & was told that his sins was wonderfull, therefore was wished to be serious about repentance, & to take heed he did not word it out to the last. He was further questioned, that seeing he had acknowledged more then was charged against him, whether he had not defiled himselfe with any woman besides his wife. He answered noe, neither with woman, mayd nor child, that was certaine. The Court haveing considered the case p'ceeded to sentence, & first read the law to him, & then the Governor asked him if he had anything to say why the court should not p'ceede to judge him according to the law. He answered noe, but his great matter was betweene God & his soule, to desire him to give him repentance. The Governor then declared, that seeing it is soe, they could doe noe otherwise, and he therefore in the name of the court did declare to William Potter that the law read was the sentence of the court, to be executed upon him, viz: that he be hanged on the gallowes till he be dead, & then cut downe & buried, & the creatures with whome he hath thus sinfully acted to be put to death before his eyes. He answered that he had in himselfe the sentence of death before For the time of his execution, it was left to the magistrates of Newhaven with the advise of the elders. * * Mather, who gave an account of this case, Mag. B. vi. Cap. v. Ap. iii. states that he was executed on the 6th of June. END From Jimmy Kerr : BEGIN William POTTER (1608 - 27 Nov 1684) [107] * BIRTH: 1608, England ? * DEATH: 27 Nov 1684 New Haven, New Haven, Connecticut [107] From notes of Dlora Hall Dalton. William and his mother (Hannah Potter-Beecher) were some of the first settlers in Connecticut. William came on the ship "Abigail" from London in 1635 with his wife Frances and his 20 week-old baby, Joseph. William did not witness his daughter Hope's wedding to Daniel Robins on 26 May 1663 or 10 Feb 1663 (notes do not agree, but I suspect that the wedding was in May and the events below were in February) because (according to the New Haven Town Records) he was called before the court of magistrates "to answr to wt charge or accusation as they understand from examination is layd against him, viz.: that he hath comitted ye sin of bestiality with sundrie creatures." William was found guilty and "ye court did declare to William Potter that ye law read was ye sentence of ye court, to be executed upon him, viz.: that he be hanged on a gallowes till he be dead, & then cut downe & buried, & the creatures wit whom he hath thus sinfully acted to be put to death be fore his eyes. (New Haven Colonial Records 1653-1665 FHL US/CAN 974.6 N2npp440-448). Descendants of William Potter Generation No. 1 1. WILLIAM2 POTTER (UNKNOWN1) was born Abt. 1608. He married FRANCES. Notes for WILLIAM POTTER: referred to in genealogical circles as the "Animal Lover". He was hung in 1649, (dates may be off somewhat) for the crime of beastiality. The trial transcript is quite interesting and goes in depth. Brother of our John Potter of New Haven Ct. ============================================================================ Husband: William POTTER ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Born: circa 1608 in: Baptized: in: Died: 06 Jun 1662 in:New Haven, CT Father: ?John POTTER Mother: Hannah *POTTER Every amateur genealogist has in the back of his or her mind that someday an ancestral skeleton will appear, perhaps the legendary "horse thief". For those who are descendants of William Potter, the skeleton has appeared, but he did not steal the horses. The facts are largely outlined and discussed in an excellent article by Joanne Ruth Walroth, entitled "Beyond Legal Remedy: Divorce in Seventeenth-Century Woodbridge, New Jersey" appearing in New Jersey History, Vol. 105, Fall/Winter 1987, beginning on page 1. While the article concerns an action for divorce and permission to remarry brought by his granddaughter, Rebecca Adams Seatown, daughter of William's daughter Rebecca and her husband, Thomas Adams, the article shows the background in her life, including the remarkable "problem" encountered by William Potter, which resulted in his being hanged until dead on June 6, 1662. The charge was "that he hath committed ye sin of bestiality with sundrie creatures". We will leave the details, quoted from the court records, to Ms. Walroth's article. Suffice to say that from his confessed "first episode" at age eleven, when he was an apprentice in England, to later in New England, "his lust followed him, though he thought he should have got power against it". "Several episodes followed, first with a bitch, then with two sows, then a yearling heifer, a two-year-old calf, a cow, three sheep, and an old mare. One of his sons had discovered him, apparently while in the act, but Potter had himself told his wife about the episodes with the sheep and tried to excuse himself. The court was particularly harsh with him because the 'sin' had continued since childhood, and he was now an old man." [Note: it is interesting to see that a modern day article on the subject, written in 1987, puts the word "sin" in quotation marks, as if that were some quaint 17th century idea]. One wonders about some of the legal aspects of the trial. Potter was convicted on the principal testimony of his wife and one of his sons. While his son apparently had been an eye witness to one of the events, his wife's testimony resulted from what Potter had "confided in her". And his confession, in detail, was undoubtedly the controlling factor. But had it been coerced? Had he been read his rights? Where were the "experts" to testify that he was sick, not criminal, or that it was all the fault of the animals, or that something his father had done was responsible for his behavior. Where were Kunsler and Shapiro when he needed them? One also wonders about the media event of this trial. The charge being a capital offense, resulted in the New Haven General Court hearing the matter. No less a personage than Gov. William Leete conducted the trial himself. Were there demonstrators outside the court? Perhaps the advocates of capital punishment joined with the animal rights groups to call for his execution? As Ms. Walroth points out [N.J.History 105:14] there were people who reacted unfavorably to the death penalty. "William Bassett and his wife were fined forty shillings for 'speakeing to the reproach' of Thomas Wheadon, who had carried out William Potter's execution." Ms. Walroth also covers some aspects of dispute over the estate after Potter's death, which showed lack of family harmony, and points out that "although each of the six Potter children would eventually marry and raise a large family, none of them named a child either William or Frances. In an age when it was customary for a couple to name children for both maternal and paternal grandparents, it is surely evidence of deep levels of stress within the family that not one of the Potter children used these names." See that article in full, particularly for the sources she cites in her documentation. See also "Early Settlers of Watertown, Mass." by Bond, page 910, referencing "July 1, 1635, William Potter, husbandman, aged 27, Frances Potter, uxor, aged 26, and Joseph Potter, aged 20 months, embarked for New England, in the Abigail, &c ... William Potter was one of the signers of the original agreement entered into by the first settlers of New Haven. [See Hinman's Catalogue, 2d ed., p. 76.]" Not surprisingly, this situation did not escape the eye or pen of Mather. See Mather's Magnalia VI, 38, Art. 3 of Appendix of Thaumaturgus. Listed aboard the Abigail 1635 (Puritans) Williams 27 age Frances 26 Joseph 4 mo. 3 Individual Record at LDS; "confirmed" by a number of web sites 6 I02395 William Potter (ABT 1608 - Jun 1662) 7 THE NEW HAVEN (CONN.) POTTERS, 1639. by James Shepard, of New Britain, Conn. from "Genealogies of Connecticut Families from The New England Historical Genealogical Register" vol III Painter--Wyllys, selected and introduced by Gary Boyd Roberts, Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, 1983, p 150-151. See Research Notes for transcription. 8 From document compiled by William Arthur Collins (descendant of Moses Robbins), sent via email on Mar. 7, 2000. His sources for information about the Potters are John William Taylor, Jr. Robins/Robbins Family Group Records, various Ancestral Files and email correspondence. Frances' birth date is based on her age of 26 according to the passenger records for the Abigail. Their son, Joseph, was 4 months old at the time. 9 Date uncertain, variously given as Feb. 3, Feb. 10 and Nov. 27 10 Surname of Mead and birth year were found at Finn - (Unknown), which also lists Hannah's father as John Mead, with no further information. This information is also found in GenForum Potter Discussion and transcribed in the Research Notes. 11 NOTE: Frankly, there's a good deal of confusion/discrepancy among the various genealogical researchers as to dates; a number of sources list his death as 1659 in both England and New Haven, CT but this does not jibe with the information about Hannah Potter Beecher who is supposed to have remarried by 1637. 13 Alternatively, Hannah Hawes! http://www.my-ged.com/db/page/drowne/14258 both sources agree on the date of birth in Kent, England and on the date and location of death; this site provides the Spaldhurst birthplace William Potter was born in 1609, christened 24 Feb 1609; came to New England in the Puritan migration, and probably stayed in Watertown until 1642. Married Frances in 1632/3 in Ipswich, Suffolk, England. He is linked to a residence in London in 1630. His name frequently appears in Stamford records. His homelot appears on record in 1650. In 1656, William Potter asked the Hew Haven General Court to be relieved of military training and duty because of physical weakness. The court agreed but said if he got better he must resume service. He appeared as a court witness in 1684 and told Justice Jonathan Bell he was 75 years old. By that time, William Potter had become a considerable landowner in Stamford and owned what is today Shippan Point. His will is dated 9 March, 1684. He left the Stamford congregation five pounds to "be improved for the use of the Lord's table|the silver cups now in the service of the table of the First Congregational Church are still witnesses to this bequest." William also left bequests to the three sons of Mr. Bishop, the minister, and to each of his 11 grandchildren, the children of his daughter Hannah. William Potter had at least two children, including Hannah (1) END A review of extant source materials by Sara Robbins Hoffman (12 Jan 2011) BEGIN William Potter is probably the most notorious ancestor in the family of Daniel & Hope Potter Robins. The name of William Potter first appears on the manifest of the ship Abigail. The ship left Plymouth, England destined for Boston in New England on June 4, 1635, among the passengers were William Potter age 27, wife Frances age 26 & 4 month old son Joseph Potter. However, what is known about the life & death of William Potter is found primarily in the Records of the Court of New Haven Colony. The records indicate William Potter was an educated Puritan & a fairly well to-do land owner. William first settled at Watertown, MA then moved on to New Haven Colony around 1639. He purchased land at New Haven & was occupied there as a 'planter' until his death. William's mother Hannah & his younger brother John Potter also settled at New Haven. The New Haven Court records show he was fined one shilling in 1643 for being late to a militia meeting & later fined for having a defective firearm & lack of ammunition. The records show these offenses were not uncommon ones among the citizens of the Colony. In 1648, William Potter advertises to pick up & deliver grain to the grist mill & return it to homes for a fee. He appears to have been a good citizen, respected & an upstanding member of the First Church of Christ at New Haven. William & Frances Potter had six children, Joseph, Sarah, Mary, Hope, Rebecca & Nathaniel. William Potter witnessed the will of Richard Mansfield in 1654 & appraised Mr. Mansfield's estate in 1655. William Potter served as executor of his mother Hannah Potter Beecher's estate in 1657. On May 31, 1658, William Potter was a witness for the plaintiff in the court case of Thomas Wheaton vs John Meigs. On May 19, 1662, William Potter wrote his will leaving his estate to his youngest son, eighteen year old Nathaniel Potter. Frances Potter served as administratrix & was in charge Nathaniel's inheritance until he reached age 21. The will stated when Nathaniel was of age he was to care for his mother as long as she remained a widow. The oldest son Joseph was to receive 30 pounds to be paid within six years from the date of the will. Daughters Hope & Rebecca were to receive 20 pounds each. It appears around May 16, 1662 or shortly before William Potter wrote his will his wife Frances & one of his sons accused him of bestiality. The name of his son is not given in the records. On May 26, 1662, William Potter age 54 was called before the court to answer to the accusation. When William Potter was first examined by the magistrates the records indicate he answered with 'distinction'. He appeared to be shocked by the accusation & denied it. The records show the magistrates Benjamin Fenn, Robert Treat & Jasper Crane said they were not able to charge him. However, they were not Asatisfied because his accusers were close family members. It was their decision to turn William Potter over to the church authorities & Deputy Governor Matthew Gilbert for further examination. They stated that 'God would bring the truth to light'. The event that followed was an interrogation of William Potter as indicated by the record. The amount of time devoted to this examination was not revealed. The end result was a lengthy, rambling confession, where William Potter said his sin began at age 11, he names numerous animals involved & that he 'hath nothing but his sin left upon him & is discouraged, & his sins affright him from God'. An observation made by the court regarding his confession reads 'much was said by him by the way of acknowledgement of his euill (evil) but in a confused way, as that sometimes he was filled with horror.' At the end of his confession, he portrays a confused man without hope who believes his sin was so great that God had forsaken him. Before sentencing, Governor William Leete read the law to William Potter & asked if he had anything to say as to why the court should not judge him according to the law. William Potter answered 'No' & was sentenced to death by hanging on June 6, 1662. Frances Potter, according the manifest of the ship Abigail, was born in 1609. No reliable documentation has been presented to prove her maiden name. Frances was 53 years old in 1662 when she accused her husband William of bestiality. They had been married approximately 28 years. Frances most likely was aware of the penalty of the crime of bestially when she accused her husband. William Potter stated before the court that he had seen others 'put to death for these acts.' Widow Frances Potter appeared in court when William's will was probated & stated she agreed with the terms of the will. However, she was either not truthful to the court or she later changed her mind afterwards by giving her daughters' legacies to her son Joseph. This resulted in Frances Potter being summoned to the court of New Haven again where she was instructed to give her daughters their inheritance. The court records states Frances Potter 'paid so much to her son Joseph Potter contrary to the Will whereby she was disenabled to pay just debts.' Joseph Potter, the oldest son, was born 1635 in England. He was 27 years old when his father was executed. William Potter's legacy to his son Joseph was 30 pounds to be distributed over a period of six years. Joseph appeared with his mother Frances on October 15, 1662 when the will was presented "to the New Haven court for ye proofing of it." After the reading of the will, Frances Potter was asked by the court if anyone had anything to say against it. She answered 'Yes' her son Joseph. The records show Frances & Joseph had conversation between the two of them. Then Joseph replied to the court that his mother & he had agreed & they were satisfied the will should stand. Thomas Wheaton, executioner of William Potter. Mr. Wheaton charged William Bassett & his wife on June 25, 1662 for slandering him. Mr. Wheaton had been given immunity prior to the execution of William Potter by Deputy Governor Matthew Gilbert for any charges of slander made regarding his service as executioner. The Bassetts were neighbors of the Potters & came to New England on the ship Abigail at the same time as the Potters. Mr. & Mrs. Bassett began speaking to others after William Potter's execution saying they believed Thomas Wheaton served as the executioner for gain. They also said the magistrates were 'impudent' in selecting Thomas Wheaton for this service because he was a good friend & neighbor of the Potters & at one time had lived at the Potter home. William Potter had also testified on the behalf of Mr. Wheaton in 1658 regarding a dispute Thomas Wheaton had against John Meigs regarding his indentureship with Mr. Meigs. One Sunday on their way to church, Mrs. Bassett told Frances Potter & Mrs. Foote her thoughts on Thomas Wheaton. Apparently, Frances Potter objected to Mrs. Bassett's statements & Mrs. Foote agreed. Mrs. Bassett told them 'the truth was to be knowne on ye Sabbath day as well as at other times.' The Bassetts were summoned to court & reprimanded. They apologized & paid a fine of 40 shillings. William Bassett indicated in his testimony that Joseph Mansfield didn't think the sentence against William Potter was just. Nothing more was recorded about Joseph Mansfield. Mary Potter, daughter of William & Frances Potter married Joseph Mansfield. It is not known if this was the same man. 1. Was the confession of William Potter coerced? 2. Why did Frances Potter wait 28 years to make charges? 3. Why did William Potter leave his estate to his younger son Nathaniel & not the oldest son Joseph? 4. Did a family dispute or disputes cause Frances & son to make accusations against William? 5. Was Frances Potter truthful when she told the court she agreed with William's will? 6. Why did Frances Potter give her daughters' legacies & other funds to her son Joseph? END from http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/s/t/e/Maryanna-Stever/GENE3-0012.html BEGIN 2050. William Potter, born Abt. 1600 in Manchester or Kent, England; died November 27, 1684 in New Haven, CT. He was the son of 4100. John Potter and 4101. Hannah Mead. He married 2051. Frances Child Abt. 1633 in England. 2051. Frances Child, born 1610 in England; died Unknown. Notes for William Potter: Inducted June 4, 1639 Signed, Plantation agreement New Haven. Inducted 1640 Admitted Freeman, 1. Coll. MA. Hist. Soc. 249. William probably came in the "Abigail" from London in 1635, age 27, with his wife, Frances, age 26, and Joseph, his son, age 20 weeks. He removed to New Haven and, with his brother, John, signed the agreement in general town meeting, 1639. He took the oath of allegiance with others in 1644. His name appears in the seating of the meetinghouse in 1646 and in 1647 he was a fence viewer. His home lot was on the west side of the Quinipiac Rivers, near the present Cedar Hill railroad station. Referred to in genealogical circles as :The Animal Lover". The facts are largely outlined and discussed in an excellent article by Joanne Ruth Walroth, entitled "Beyond Legal Remedy: Divorce in Seventeenth Century Woodbridge, New Jersey", appearing in New Jersey History, Vol. 105, Fall/Winter 1987, beginning on page 1. While the article concerns an action for divorce and permission to remarry brought by his granddaughter, Rebecca Adams Seatown, daughter of Williams daughter, Rebecca, and her husband, Thomas Adams, the article shows the background in her life, including the remarkable "problem" encountered by William Potter, which resulted in his being hanged until dead on June 6, 1662 (dates may be off somewhat) for the crime of bestiality. The trial transcript is quite interesting and goes in depth. William did not witness his daughter Hope's wedding to Daniel Robins(on) on May 26, 1663 or Feb. 10, 1663 (notes do not agree, but I suspect that the wedding was in May and the events set forth below Were in Feb.) because (according to the New Haven Town Records) he was called before the court of magistrates "to answer to wt charge or accusation as they vnderstand from examination is layd against him, viz.: that he hath committed ye sin of bestiality with sundrie creatures." William was found guilty and "ye court did declare to William Potter that ye law read was ye sentence of ye court, to be executed vpon him, viz.: that he be hanged on a gallowes till he be dead, & the cut downe & buried, & the creatures wit whom he hath sinfully acted to be put to death before his eyes". (New Haven Colonial Records 1653-1665 FHL US/CAN 974.6 N2nnp440-448). Williams's mother, Hannah Potter Beecher, step-father, John Beecher, and brother, John Potter, followed William and his family to America two years later. They were part of the company that arrived aboard the "Hector" that included the very prominent Puritans Rev. John Davenport and Theophilus Eaton. The party had intended to settle within the Massachusetts Colony, but upon their arrival, decided to found a new colony elsewhere because of what they perceived to be a tainted religious climate in Boston. The families made arrangements for temporary housing in Boston while a site was being selected. The Beechers and John Potter probably moved in with William and his family during this period. Shortly before the arrival of the "Hector", an army from the Massachusetts Colony had raided and slaughtered the Pequot Indians at their village of Quinipiac on Long Island. The returning soldiers told stories of an abundant lad and a favorable harbor. Hearing the glowing reports, Rev. Davenport dispatched Rev. Eaton with a party to explore the area. The party included John Beecher, William's step-father. They arrived in the Quinipiac area in early autumn and found it quite suitable for the establishment of a colony. Fearing the approach of wither, however, Eaton thought it prudent to delay attempting the establishment until the following spring. He decided to leave seven men to winter at Quinipiac, further explore the area, and to prepare for the arrival of the main colony. John Beecher was one of the seven men left behind. He died sometime during that winter and was buried in an unmarked grave. The colony that became established the following spring was New Haven Colony. John Beecher's remains were discovered some years later while digging a cellar. William Potter and his family, Hannah (his mother), John Potter, and Isaac Beecher (John Beecher's son) all removed from Boston to New Haven. They may have gone with the original settlers in the spring of 1638, but that cannot be established. They were definitely there by 1639, however, because both William and John Potter signed the New Haven Agreement in a general town meeting that year. Early New Haven records indicate that William's life was a "good news - bad news" scenario. On the one hand his seating assignments in the church indicate that he progressed in the standing of the church. On the other hand he was frequently fined for offenses ranging from absence at military training, improper care of arms and failure to submit a timely inventory for taxation. In 1659 Hannah Potter Beecher died and appointed William executor of her will. She left 2/3 of her estate to William and 1/3 to Isaac Beecher. She requested that William "be as a father to his younger brother and his children". William died between May, 1662 and March, 1663 in New Haven. His estate was valued at over 190 English pounds, as shown by the inventory taken August 2, 1662. The descendants of this early American include the names of many who have distinguished themselves as scholars, ministers and in other professions. We omit any reference to incidents in connection with the close of his life for the reason that he appears to have been the victim of a mental disorder, rather than an enemy of society. Excerpt from "Potter Profiles" vol. 22, p. 29-31: "Father, Farmer, Churchman, Sinner" by Barbara W. Pitcher, reprinted with permission of the Colorado Genealogical Society, Inc. Copyright 1988. (note: All of the information in this note was obtained from the Rootsweb family tree web site of Robert Crawford (bob_craw200@yahoo.com). According to" Records of the Colony or Jurisdiction of New Haven from May6, 1653, to the Union" (Charles Hoadly, State Librarian, Hartford 1858, p. 440-443): William Potter was called before ye court to answer to wt charge or accusation as they vnderstand from examination is layd against him, viz: that he hath committed ye sin of bestiality wth sundrie creatures. ...he confessed more particularly, the first time he sd was in Old England, at prentise, wn he was about eleuen yeare old...he acted with a cow which is now gone...& he acted this wickedness wth two sowes...also a yearling heifer...a two year old cow... three sheep and an old mare. (Apparently one of his sons had discovered him while in the ace, but Potter had told his wife about the episodes with the sheep and tried to excuse himself). ye sentence of ye court, to be executed vpon him, viz: that he be hanged on a gallowes till he be dead, ^ then cut downe & buried, & the creatures with whome he hath thus sinfully accted to be put to death before his eyes." William had made his will on May 19, 1662, a week before the trial. And so it was on June 6, 1662 that the town paid Thomas Wheadon to hang his former friend, William Potter. One wonders about some of the legal aspects of the trial. Potter was convicted on the principal testimony of his wife and one of his sons. While his son apparently had been an eye witness to one of the events, his wife's testimony resulted from what Potter had confided to her. And his confession, in detail, was undoubtedly the controlling factor. But, had it been coerced? Had he been read his rights? Where were the "experts" to testify that he was sick, and not a criminal< or that it was all the fault of the animals, or that something his father had done was responsible for his behavior? Where were Kunsler an Shapiro when he needed them. One also wonders about the media event of this trial. The charge being a capital offense, resulted in the New Haven General Court hearing the matter. No less a personage than Governor William Leete conducted the trial himself. Were there demonstrators outside the court? Perhaps the advocates for capital punishment joined with the animal rights groups to call for his execution? As Ms. Walroth points out: There were people who reacted unfavorably to the death penalty. "William Bassett and his wife were fined forty shillings for 'speaking to the reproach of Thomas Wheadon, who had carried out William Potter's execution". Ms. Walroth also covers some aspects of dispute over the estate after Potter's death, which showed lack of family harmony, and points out the "although each of the six Potter children would eventually marry and raise a large family, none of them named a child either William or Frances. In an age when it was customary for a couple to name children for both maternal and paternal grandparents, it is surely evidence of deep levels of stress within the family that not one of the Potter children followed this custom". Every amateur genealogist has in the back of their mind that someday an ancestral skeleton will appear, perhaps the legendary "horse thief". For those who are descendants of William Potter, the skeleton has appeared, but he did not steal the horses. Not surprisingly, the entire story did not escape the eye or pen of Mather. See Mather's Magnalia VI, 38 Art. 3 of Appendix of Thaumaturgus. Children of William Potter and Frances Child are: i. Joseph Potter, born November 1635 in New Haven, CT; died Unknown. ii. Thomas Potter, born Abt. 1637 in New Haven, CT; died Unknown. 1025 iii. Hannah Potter, born September 08, 1638 in New Haven, CT; died November 13, 1700 in Greenwich, Fairfield Co., CT; married John Mead July 10, 1657 in Stamford, Fairfield Co., CT. iv. Mary Potter, born August 22, 1641 in New Haven, CT; died Unknown. v. Sarah Potter, born August 22, 1641 in New Haven, CT; died Unknown. vi. Hope Potter, born October 03, 1642 in New Haven, CT; died Unknown. vii. Rebeckah Potter, born January 1642/43 in New Haven, CT; died Unknown. viii. Nathaniel Potter, born December 22, 1644 in New Haven, CT; died Unknown. ix. Hannah Potter, born 1646; died Unknown. 2048. William Mead, born December 27, 1592 in Watford, Herfordshire, England; died 1663 in Stamford, Fairfield Co., CT. He was the son of 4096. Dr. Richard Mead and 4097. Frances. He married 2049. Philippa Kilvey Abt. 1620 in Watford, Herfordshire, England. 2049. Philippa Kilvey, born Unknown; died Unknown. Notes for William Mead: Recent (2004) discoveries by Lee Mead have put the ancestors of William Mead in doubt. He has convincing proof that William's parents were Priscilla (Priscillus or Priscillius) Mead and Dorothy Grey. He also says that William and Gabriel were not brothers. More investigation will have to be done. Because of this new information, all of the information below has been cast in doubt and more information will have to be gathered. The name "Mead" allegedly is the English version of the Norman name of "de Prato". The coat of arms for William Mead and Gabriel Mead are identical. Arrived in Massachusetts in April 1635 on the ship "Elizabeth" (Capt. Stagg). Sailed from Lydd, Kent, England. Resided in Kent, England with brother Gabriel Mead who stayed in Mass. First settled at Wethersfield, CT. 1641 and moved to Samford, CT. William Henry Mead, born about 1590, England. Arrived in Massachusetts April 1635 on ship Elizabeth (Capt. Stagg); sailed from Lydd, Kent, England, from which family is supposed to have come. Came with his brother Gabriel Mead, born 1587, died 3-2-1666. Gabriel remained in Mass. and is the ancestor of the Mass. Meads. William followed the tide of emigration toward the Conn. Valley, probably first settled at Wethersfield, Conn. In 1641 he removed to Stamford, Conn. (Capt. Turner, as agent for the New Haven Colony, first purchased from the Indians on the first day of July, 1640, lands now lying in the Town of Stamford). William's wife died in Samford 9-16-1657. Probably had four children. John Mead (first), third child of William, born about 1634, probably Conn. Died 2-5-1699. Married Hannah Potter of Stamford, probably in 1657. Had 11 children. John (first) was the ancestor of the Greenwich, Conn. Meads. With his brother, Joseph, in the spring of 1657, removed to Hempstead, Long Island. The Virginia Meades are in no wise connected with the Conn. Meads, but are descended from Andrew Meade (anciently written Meagh, born in County Kerry, Ireland, latter part of 17th century, came to America about 1728, settled in Nansemond County, Virginia). Johathan Mead (first) fifth child (fourth son) of Johanthan (first) born 1701 in Horseneck, New York. Married 1. Martha Weeks on 2-28-1723 and 2. Sarah Bouton. Moved from Horseneck with his family before 1754 to Nine Partners (from the first settlers who were nine in number) in Duchess County, N.Y. During 1769 Timothy, with five sons and one daughter, went to Rutland County, Vermont. Three of the sons,, Zebulon, James (Colonel) and Ezra settled on Otter Creek, West Rutland, between what is now known as Mead's Mills, or Centre Rutland, and Sutherland Falls. These were the first white people that ever settled in Vermont. The first night Colonel James Mead spent in Rutland he, with his wife, occupied and Indian wigwam on the banks of Otter Creek, a short distance below Centre Rutland, the Indians kindly vacating it and giving them possession. The first whit child born in Vermont is said to have William born 9-24-1770, the eleventh child of Colonel James Mead. William, known as Capt. Wm. Mead, moved from Vermont to Ohio and died at Granville, Ohio 11-24-1854, buried in the Colonial Cemetery in the middle of the town of Granville. (William H. Mead, V visited Rutland in the fall of 1980 and found that the mayor is a Mead descendant.) Zebulon Mead, born 10-5-1728, died 1-26-1797, Rutland, Vermont. Served in the Revolutionary War. Married 1. Anna Thompson, 2. Mercy Cary (1731 to 12-1811)., mother of Cary. Zebulon had 11 children, settled on Otter Cree, VT. Cary Mead, Sr., third son of Zebulon, born in Rutland, VT. 1764, died 1831. Married Judith Sampson, born 1768. They moved to Ohio 1808, first settled in a cabin five miles west of Granville, Licking County, Iowa, near where the town of Alexandria now stands. Then moved on to a farm about half a mile south of Granville. Next removal was to what was then known as Cook's Settlement, now the village of Appleton, where the parents died. On July 1, 1819, Cary Mead, Jr. signed and agreement: "I will pay unto my brother William Henry Mead one hundred dollars when he shall arrive at the age of 21 years. Provided the said Wm. Henry shall choose to learn a trade at the age of 16, but provided he the said Wm. Henry later he shall arrive at the age of 16 years shall Choose to live with me the said Cary Mead, Jr. until he is 21 years of age then I do agree to give the said Wm. Henry one hundred and fifty dollars in addition to the aforesaid sum. And also I do agree to give the said Wm. Henry a good common education sufficient to do any common business and also to provide for him at all times with good comfortable and decent clothes and victuals as long as he shall continue to live with me previous to his being 21 years of age. William Henry Mead I, called Henry, ninth child, born 3-23-1813, Appleton, Ohio, died 1-13-1862 of Typhoid-pneumonia due to exposure during a revival meeting. Married Anna Marian Beam of Jersey, Ohio, born 6-14-1814, died 3-2-1864. Four children: two died in infancy, buried in Mead Cemetery near Appleton. Living were: William Henry Mead, II; and Josephine (Josie) Emily Mead, married in 1868 Moses Youmans, brother of Isabelle. Josie buried in Pataskala, Ohio cemetery. William Henry Mead, III is buried with his parents in Pataskala Cemetery. William Henry Mead, II, born 8-20-1846 in Harrison Township on Blacks Rod, 2 miles east of Pataskala (incorporated 1851) on Hwy. 27. Died 1-23-1919, Pataskala ("Passed away peacefully while he slept". He had palsy). On May 11, 1865 married Isabelle (Belle) Youmans, born 8-1-1844 in Pataskal, daughter of Wm. and Mary Ann Youmans, died 2-1925. Children: William Henry Mead, III, Carrie Dell Mead Needham, Merrill Elmous Mead, Burdell Mead Grove, Carl L. Mead, Florence Mead Zartman, Rosa Belle Mead who died in infancy. William H. Mead, II started the Pataskala Bank in 1888 with Jake Youmans, etc. William Henry Mead, III, born 11-11-1866, died 3-11-1945, both in Pataskala. May have died of stomach cancer. First wife, Helen, and her mother died when their buggy was hit by a train at crossing above Columbia Center, Ohio. In 1895 he married Louise Moore of Norwalk, Ohio, born 10-1-1877, died 3-7-1966 in Pataskala of heart failure (had stomach cancer). Children: Dorothy Ellen Mead Mayer, born 1-8-1897, died 1-1-1973; Teressa Helen Mead Alexander, born 3-12-1899; William Henry Mead, IV; Nell Marie Mead who died in infancy of diphtheria. William Henry Mead, IV was born 1-31-1902, Pataskala. On 7-12-1926 at Artesia, New Mexico he married Herma Cynthia Wesh, born 1-7-1905 in Artesia. she died 9-3-1974 at Upper Arlington, OH of Alzheimer's disease and was buried in Kirkersville, Ohio Cemetery. Children: Laura Louis Mead Billups, born 7-12-1928; William Henry Mead V born 3-5-1935 at Youngstown, OH. On 7-28-1961 Wm. H. Mead IV married Elizabeth Ann Martin born 4-8-1920 in Hinton, WV, Divorced 12-4-1981. William Henry Mead V, born 3-5-1935 at Youngstown, OH. On 3-17-1957 at Wooster, OH he married Hazel Joanne Thorley, born 10-24-1935 at New Pittsburg, Wayne Co., OH. Children: Sharon Ruth Mead Stiles born 3-12-1958; William Henry Mead VI born 2-9-1960 Wooster, OH.; Lisa Louise Mead born 1-21-1962; Chad Alan Mead born 1-25-1971. Compiled by William H. Mead IV during January 1982. Typed by Laura Mead Billups. Sorce for the first William Mead through Cary Mead is The Mead Family by Spencer P. Mead, 1901, found at the Ohio Historic Society near the fairgrounds at Columbus, Ohio. Careful reading of same by WHM, V. Other sources are the Mead family Bible in the possession of WHM. IV; obituary for WHM, II in The Pataskala Standard 1-30-1919; cemeteries; documents dated July 1,18119 of Cary Mead SR. and Jr., Newark, OH Courthouse (escaped the fire) found by Merrill Elmouse "Bill" Mead, grandson of Merrill E. Mead. This information refutes the above information as to the parentage of William Mead: Mead of Watford This is from an article written by Gordon Remington that appeared in the January 1998 issue of The American Genealogist. In his article Mr. Remington shows that William Mead of Watford, born in 1592, is the William Mead who settled in Fairfield County, Connecticut in 1641. This is based on the fact that the William Mead below had a child named Joseph, as did William Mead of Fairfield County, and that the wives of both William Meads had a fairly unusual name: Philippa. Spencer P. Mead (the author of The History and Genealogy of the Mead Family) does not give much detail on the life of William Mead. After stating that William Mead received a houselot in Stamford on December 7, 1641, he starts the historical account of the family with: "Of William, the ancestor of all the Fairfield County Meads, very little concerning him, except already mentioned, has been found. His wife died in Samford, September 16, 1657. No record of his death has as yet been found." Later Mead corrects himself on the date of William Mead's wife's death, stating that "The author has been unable to ascertain who he married, but from the Stamford Town Records, it appears that his wife died September 19, 1657." Mead does not name William Mead's wife, but the Stamford town records do:" Philip, wife, Wilia Mead died 19.7.1657." Why Spencer P. Mead did not give the first name of William Mead's wife can only be conjectured - perhaps he did not recognize that Philip was a name that could be applied to either sex in seventeenth century England and her colonies. Another possiblity is that the original town record had deteriorated to such a point by the time Mead loooked at it that he could not make it out and did not wish to hazard a guess. Or he may merely have copied the information on the death of William Mead's wife from De Mille's earlier work on the Mead family without consulting the town records. In his transcription of Samford town records, Donald Lines Jacobus renders the name as "Kilvy," but follos it with a question mark and encloses it in brackets - indicating that he had trouble reading the original. Why neither Spencer P. Mead nor Jacobus consulted the trancribed bersion of the town records is not known. It was apparently used for the Barbour Collection, as that typescript does indeed give the name as Philip, albeit followed by a question mark in parentheses. And in his careful account of William Mead in Ancestry of Elizabeth Barrett Gillespie, Paul Prindle states that his wife was "Philippa". With such an unusual first name, searching for a marriage between a William Mead and a Philip or Philippa in the IGI seemed a logical next step. The IGI contains no "controlled extraction" reference to a William Mead marrying a Philip, but it does contain a baptism for a Mary, daughter of William and "Philippe" Mead in the parish of St. Mary, Watford, Hertfordshire on March 17, 1621. The New England immigrant is not known to have had a daughter Mary, but it is possible that she died young. This parish has been subjected to "controlled extraction" and ther were no other baptisms at Watford that name both William and Philip explicitly. There was, however, a baptism for a "Joseph, son of William and (blank) Mead" at Watford on April 25, 1624, and it is known that the New England immigrant had a son Joseph. Baptisms for William Mead's children John and Martha are not found at Watford, but it is worth noting that William Mead of Watford had a brother, John, whose wife, Martha, was buried on January 3, 1632/33 - possibly the sources for these last two children. The Mead family in Watford is found there from the 1540's. On of the peculiarities of this family is the use of the decidely female name of Priscilla as a male name commencing in 1545 and possibly into the 1680's. William (son of Priscilla) Mead and his family sailed in April 1635 from the Kent port of Lydd on the Elizabeth, under Captain Stagg. They settled first in Wethersfiel, Con., and then moved in 1641 to Stamford, where William was granted a home lot and five acres of land. William is the ancestor of the Mead family of Connecticut, New York, Vermont and Meadville, Pennsylvania. Gabriel Mead is the ancestor of the Mead family of Massachusetts. The Meade family of Virginia is descended from an Irish family whose name was originally spelled Meagh. The Mead family of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Loudoun County, Virginia is said to have been descended from a Richard Mead of Buckinhamshire, pssibly through his son Matthew. They were mainly Quakers. Richard Mead, the surgeon and physician to King George I was Matthew's son. There is a memorial to Dr. Richard Mead in Westminster Abbey. He is buried in Temple Church, the Middle Temple, London, England. Children of William Mead and Philippa Kilvey are: i. Mary Mead, born 1622 in Watford, Herfordshire, England; died 1626 in Watford, Herfordshire, England. 1024 ii. John Mead, born 1628 in Watford, Herfordshire, England; died 1699; married Hannah Potter July 10, 1657 in Stamford, Fairfield Co., CT. iii. Martha Mead, born 1630; died Unknown; married John Richardson; died Unknown. iv. Joseph Mead, born Abt. 1623; died May 03, 1690; married (1) Mary Brown; died Unknown; married (2) Mary Brown December 04, 1654; born in Stamford, CT; died Unknown. Notes for Joseph Mead: Both Joseph and brother, John, were representatives to the Connecticut legislature from Greenwich. More About Joseph Mead: Baptism: April 25, 1624, Watford, Herfordshire, England END "Records of the Colony or Jurisdiction of New Haven", Charles J. Hoadly, 1858 BEGIN At a Court of Magistrates, held at Newhauen for the Jurisdiction, the 26th of May, 1662. William Potter was called before ye court to answr to wt charge or accusation as they vnderstand from examination is layd against him, viz: that he hath comitted ye sin of bestiality wth sundrie creatures. The Gouernr told him, that first he must mind him of his carriage before ye magistrates when he was examined, that when you heard wt your wife & son testified to yor face, yet you was not affected as you should haue beene, whether true or false, but stood in a stupid way, making deniall of wt was testified yt they could not fasten it as a charge against him, yet told him yt ye puidence of God was soe strange in it, (his neare relations thus charging of him,) yt if he was guilty God would bring it forth to light, & soe, wth as much solemnes as they could, left it with him & alsoe with Mr. Gilbert to gaine any further discouery as he could ; and now it seemes since, (it may be by some better dealing wth him in ye busines, & Gods jealousie against him,) God hath brought it forth out of his owne mouth ; and seeing the church hath done their duty, which they well approued of, they as ministers of justice call him to account, to speake the truth in ye case, & deale plainely, as standing before the great God of heauen & earth, his judge & theirs, & to make acknowledgmt of ye facts, how, when, & with what creatures. He answered yt first wn he was before ye magistrates he answered with a distinction, & thought their testimony could not take away his life, but being before ye church & helped ouer something yt stucke wth him, he did confesse & judge himselfe worthy to be cut off from among men & to be giuen ouer to be among deuills ; and now he confessed more pticu- larly, the first time he sd was in old England, at prentise, wn he was about eleuen yeare old, & after when he came to New England these temptations followed him, though sometimes they left him some yeares together, & then he thought God did worke vpon his soule, & ye temptation left him a great while, but after he coming to liue at Mr. Gilberts farme it returned againe, & he acted with a cow which is now gone, & after coming to his owne farme his lust followed him, though he thought he should haue got power against it, & when ye man was hanged for ye same act he was much startled, but after still ye temptatio went on, & it strooke a dampe vpon his spirit yt it was not right with him, & there he acted first with a bitch, which he hanged thinking he should be free from ye temptation when she was gone, but it still pursued him, & he acted this wickednes wth two sowes, one of which was yt of which his son testifies, there is alsoe a yeareling heifer, a two yeare old, and a cow yt he had beene vilely naught withall this spring, alsoe three sheepe, of which he sd he told his wife which they were ; these was all he sd, only his attempting with his old mare which is now dead ; & then confessed yt he had gone far from God, but prayed, & desired theire prayers, yt he might not goe further from him, and desired to haue wt meanes might be affoarded for his euerlasting good, acknowl- edging the Lord to be righteous whateuer became of him. [313] He was asked with wt he couered these wicked courses? He answered that he went on against the checkes of his conscience, & did not consider the compasse of his sin, he had some dislikes of it but was ouercome still, & when his son discouered him, he had noe heart to speake to him, but was affected with teares, yt he, being an old man, should be a foole in his latter end. He was minded of his sin before ye magistrates, that he should speake soe against his knowne light, & of his excusing it to his wife when she told him of it. He sd he thought his excusing of it to her was a forerunner of these sins after. Much was set by him by way of acknowledging of his euill, but in a confused way, as yt sometimes lie was filled with horror & yt his sin lay vpon him night & day, & yt he saw such sins the nature of m did harden his heart, & yt he was filled wth shame & confusion for the dishonor yt he had done to God, & yt he had caused ye name of God to be blasphemed among the heathen. He was told yt such sins was judiciary sins, accord- ying to Rom. 1, 24, when men like not to retaine God in their knowledge, they are just judgmts of God vpon such vnder such light as he hath liued vnder, & yt he should come to such a degree of sinning & to such an age was a thing to admiration & astonishmt of all yt heares him. He sd he thinkes now all he did was to be seene of men, though some- times he had other thoughts, yet now he hath nothing but his sin left vpon him & is discouraged, & his sins affright him from God, though sometimes some hopes may be in him. He was asked what puoking sin he sees that might puoke God thus to leaue him ? He answered that he had neglected duty in secret, & had not kept his watch ouer himselfe & way, & was very vnconstant in family duties formerly, though something better of late. He was asked how he was educated ? He answered, well, & was taught to reade. He was then seri- ously aduised & warned to take in ye agravations of his sin, for he had beene a continuall liuer in this sin from his child- hood, & that he had beene exceedingly hardened in it, yt he should goe on in it after he saw others put to death for the same acts & such like, & was told yt his sins was wonderfull, therefore was wished to be serious about repentance, & to take heed he did not word it out to the last. He was further questioned, yt seeing he had acknowledged more then was charged against him, whether he had not defiled himselfe with any woman besides his wife. He answered noe, neither with woman, mayd nor child, yt was certaine. The Court haueing considered the case pceeded to sentence, & first read the law to him, & then ye governr asked him if he had any thing to say why the court should not pceede to judge him according to ye law. He answered noe, but his great matter was betweene God & his soule, to desire him to giue him repentance. The Governr then declared, that seeing it is soe, they could doe noe otherwise, and he therefore in ye name of ye court did declare to William Potter that ye law read was ye sentence of ye court, to be executed vpon him, viz: that he be hanged on ya gallowes till he be dead, & then cut downe & buried, & the creatures with whom he hath thus sinfully acted to be put to death before his eyes. He answered yt he had in himselfe ye [314] sentence of death before. For the time of his execu- tion, it was left to ye magistrates of Newhauen with the advise of the elders.* * Mather, who gives an account of this case, Mag. B. vi. Cap. v. Ap. iii. states that he was executed on the 6th of June. At a Court of Magistrates held at Newhauen the 15th of Octob: 1662. The will of Willm Potter being referred by Newhauen court to this court, was prsented, and by widdow Potter desired to knowe mind of ye court whether it should stand or noe, (which being read,) it was asked her if any had any thing to say against it? She answered yea, her sonne Joseph, but after some speech with him Joseph sd that his mother & he had agreed & was satisfied yt it should stand, & the widdow declared ye same in reference to her other children. Then ye court vpon that ground that nothing being prsented by any to ye contrary ordered it to stand, & left it to Newhauen court for ye prooueing of it & to order that part which concernes ye children. At a Court oy Magistrates held at Newhauen, the 25th of May, 1663. The last will of Willm Potter, late of Newhauen, deceased, prsented to ye court, made the 19th of May, 1662, & witnessed by Deacon Richard Miles & Deacon Willm Pecke, prooued in court at Newhauen, March 3d, 1662/3. [350] Alsoe an inuentory of ye estate of ye sd Willm Potter, prsented to ye court, amounting to ye sume of 161 li, 02 s, 07 d, taken August ye first, 1662, & vpon oath attested by Mr. Thomas Yale & Dauid Atwater, yt ye apprizemt was just to ye best of their light, in court at Newhauen, August 5th, 1662. END From: carolsgn [carolsgn@hotmail.com] Sent: Saturday, March 19, 2005 9:52 PM BEGIN The following is from Genealogies of Connecticut Families, VolII, the New Haven (Conn.) Potters 1639, Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc. 1988: William Potter of Watertown, Mass., probably came in the Abigail from London, in 1635, aged 27, with wife Frances, aged 26 and child Joseph, aged twenty weeks. He removed to New Haven and with his brother John signed the agreement in general town meeting, 1639. "In 1643 brother Potter was fined one shilling for coming late last trayning day" and again was fined for defective arms. He took the oath of allegiance with others in 1644. In 1645 brother Potter (William) made an offer "to carry every man's grist from their howes to the mill & bring it back againe to their howes for 2d pr. bushell." His name appears in the seating of the meeting house in 1646, and in 1647 he was one of the Fence viewers for the farms this side of the river. In Oct.5,1647, it is recorded that Mr. Evance hath sold to Wm. Potter 27 and a half acres of meadow as it cometh to him in the towne books, and lyeth in the east meadows between Mr. Crayne and Bro. Punderson and 32 acres of upland. He was one of the appraisers of the estate of Richard Mansfield in 1656. His home lott was on the west side of the Quinipiac River near the present Cedar Hill railroad station. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ His will was made May 19,1662 and is as follows: "William Potter disposes of his estate of outward things as followeth. After all Debts discharged my will is that my wife should have her living out of the farms till my Sonne Nathanll come to ye age of 21 years, then ye sd. Nathaniell is to possess ye sd. farms and all yt is upon it, if my wife continue a widdow my will is yt my Sonne Nathanll allow her a comfortable Living out of the same and if she cause to Dwell elsewhere my will is yt my sonne Nathaniell allow her 12th a yeare. it; my will is yt my sonne Joseph should have 30th. payd him within yt term of six years after ye date hereof. it; my will is yt my daughter Hope and my daughter Rebeckah shall have 20th. apiece payd ym when their mother sees good to pay it them. My will is that Legasyes be payd out of the farms before it come into my sonnes Nathanll's hands. 19. 3. 62. Witnesses William Peck, Richard Miles" Inventory filed Aug. 01, 1662. Amt f190. 04. 00 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Children: 1. Joseph b. in England in 1635; m. Phebe___. 2. Mary , bapt. in New Haven Aug.22,1641; m. about 1657, Joseph Mansfield. 3. Sarah, bapt. Aug.22,1641, but was not a twin to Mary. She m. 1st. Lieut. Robert Foote of Branford, Conn.; 2nd Aaron Blackesley. 4. Hope, bapt. Oct.3,1641; m. Feb. 3,1663, Daniel Robinson. Removed to New Jersey. 5. Rebecca, bapt. 1643; m. Nov.27,1667, thomas Adams. Removed to Crosswicks, New Jersey. 6. Nathaniel, bapt. Dec.12, 1644; m. April1,1675, Elizabeth Howes. Of these children, Maray and Sarah are not named in their father's will, but Sarah was living Aug.23,1706, when Sarah Blakesley, alias Foote, alias Potter, daughter of William Potter, acknowledges on p. 130, vol.v., New Haven Land Records, the receipt of her full share in her father's estate. END From: turkeypt2 [july37@cox.net] Sent: Tuesday, March 22, 2005 2:49 PM BEGIN From "Result of Some Research Among the British Archives for Information Relative to the Founders of New England" compiled between 1854-1860 by Samuel G. Drake from records found at the British Archives. pages 35&36. "June 1635 Abourd the Abigail, Robert Hackwell Master, p'r Cert from the Minister of Stepney p'ish of their conformite: and that they are no Subsedy men." The passengers took an Oath of Allegiance before sailing. I'm unsure if Stepney Parish, Middlesex County was the place where the Potters took the oath or if this was their place of residence before embarking for New England. It appears their names are associated with Stepney parish in some manner as their names follow in a list after the above quote. END From: Steve Sent: Thursday, April 21, 2005 4:59 PM BEGIN All: I found this information on a ancestery web site. Gives a source as Fairfield Probate Records. WellandEntries: 5382 Updated: 2004-12-01 01:48:12 UTC (Wed) Contact: Scotty Welland ID: I519027324 Name: WILLIAM POTTER Given Name: WILLIAM Surname: POTTER Sex: M Birth: 1609 in England Death: 27 Nov 1684 in Connecticut, Fairfield Co., Stamford 1 Note: REFN: 3938 At age 25, William Potter sailed from England 15 April 1635 on the ship "Increase", bound for the New World ( The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, 14:311) Connecticut, Fairfield Co., Stamford - His house was on the corner of north Street and the North Street extension to Mill River. He also had a house on the east side of North Street that was sold to Thomas Lyon by 1650.When William died he left 5 pounds to the church, and the silver cups still in use in the Congregational Church were bought with this gift. He also left his house and land to the three Bishop sons. Later the houselot was turned over to John Davenport for his parsonage. He also left bequests to the eleven children of his son-in-law, John Mead. Was a signer of the Fundamental Covenant and a founder of New haven in 1639. Father: JOHN, SR POTTER b: Abt. 1580 in Connecticut, New Haven Co., New Haven Mother: HANNAH MEAD b: Abt. 1590 in England Suggested Next Step: Search OneWorldTree for: POTTER, WILLIAM Marriage 1 FRANCES CHILD b: 1610 in Connecticut, New Haven Co., New Haven Married: 10 Aug 1636 in Connecticut, New Haven Co., New Haven Children HANNAH POTTER b: 8 Sep 1636 in Connecticut, New Haven, Rebecca POTTER Nathaniel POTTER Unknown I POTTER Unknown II POTTER Unknown III POTTER Mary POTTER Sarah POTTER Hope POTTER Joseph POTTER Sources: Title: Fairfield Probate records Repository: Page: 3:165 END From: Chris Schopfer [cjschopfer@gmail.com] Sent: Sunday, January 01, 2006 11:31 PM BEGIN I did some exploring on Ancestry.com regarding William Potter's wife's identity, and thought a few observations were worth sharing: I had privately hypothesized that "Child" may have been written somewhere to note that Frances was a minor, but this is evidently not so; the Abigail's passenger records reportedly state that Frances was 26 at the time of her emigration. This statement is evidently the basis for a frequently estimated birth year of 1609. But one peculiar posting makes me wonder if Frances was indeed married at the time: "A second marriage for this same couple is also recorded in the New Haven Town Hall Records for Aug. 10, 1636." An image of this record in its original form might be enlightening. Several postings mention that Frances made the voyage to America in 1635 on the ship "Abigail" with her first son, who was just 4 months old. I wonder if the surname "Child" is a misinterpretation of the ship's manifest, which may have intended "Child" to refer to the infant (Joseph, I believe). This record, too, might still be accessible in original form. Frances' and William's marriage is frequently cited as "abt 1634 in Chesham, Buckinghamshire, England"; someposting state 14 April 1630 (often citing New Haven, which is obviously wrong; at least one noted London, England, but gave no specific source). I saw two men named as Frances' father (below), presumably tied to birth records found by researchers in the past. The first of these is at least nearly consistent with Frances' age noted in The Abigail's manifest. I have to wonder, though, how close these are to William's home in Devon, and if not close, how the marriage might have been made: - Thomas Child of Roxton, Bedfordshire (with Frances b. 16 Feb 1610/11/Bletsoe, Bedford, England) - Robert Child of Kent, England (with Frances b. 1616/Kent, England) The surname "Wood" appears to belong to Elizabeth Wood, b. 14 Apr 1606 in Chesham, Buckinghamshire, who is frequently shown as William Potter's second wife. One listing, by Rita Lace (ritalace@yahoo.com) says William's second marriage was Elizabeth's fourth; her first being to William's brother, John Potter. "She was excommunicated in 1646 because she would not give up Edward Parker", her second husband, with whom she eventually had four children. Her third marriage was purportedly in 1664, to Robert Rose. One sometimes-named wife of William's, Hannah Beecher, appears to have actually been his mother, Hannah (Hawes) Potter Beecher, who married, second, John Beecher. Well, that's it. I have no first-hand knowledge of any of the above, but though anyone inclined to do some primary research might be interested. Happy New Year! Chris END From: july37 [july37@cox.net] Sent: Tuesday, April 25, 2006 11:10 PM BEGIN Will of William Potter written May 19, 1662. "William Potter disposes of his estate of outward things as followeth, After all Debts discharged my will is that my wife should have her living out of the farms till my Sonne Nathanill, come to ye age of 21 years, then ye sd. Nathaniell is to possess ye sd. farms and all yt is upon it, if my wife continue a widdow my will is yt my Sonne Nathanil allow her a comfortable Living out of the same and if shee see cause to Dwell elsewhere my will is yt my sonne Nathaniell allow her 12th a yeare. it; my will is yt my sonne Joseph should have 30th. payd him within yt term of six years after ye date hereof. it: my will is yt my daughter Hope and my daughter Rebeckah shall have 20th. apiece payd ym when their mother sees good to pay it them. My will is that those Legasyes be payd out of the farms before it come into my sonnes Nathanill's hands." 19. 3. 62. Witnesses William Peck Richard Miles Inventory filed Aug. 1, 1662 Amt. 190. 04. 00 pounds. "Of these children, Mary and Sarah are not named in their father's will but Sarah was living Aug. 23, 1706, when " Sarah Blakesley, alias Foote, alias Potter, daughter of William Potter," acknowledges on p. 130, vol.v., New Haven Land records, the receipt of her full share in her father's estate." Source: New-England Historical & Genealogical Register, January 1900 "The New Haven Potters", pgs. 23 & 24. Sara END From: Gary Robins [gdrobins@robinsgenealogy.net] Sent: Thursday, April 27, 2006 2:25 PM BEGIN From: "Records of the colony of jurisdiction of New Haven" : from May, 1653 to the union : together with the New Haven code of 1656 Hartford Conn.: Printed by Case, Lockwood and Co., 1858, 630 pgs. ==================================================================== PAGE 466 RECORDS OF THE JURISDICTION OF NEW HAVEN [1662 The will of Willm Potter being referred by Newhauen court to this court* was pr(e)sented, and by widdow Potter desired to know ye mind of ye court whether it should stand or noe, (which being read), it was asked her if any had any thing tyo say against it? She answered yea, her sonne Joseph, but after some speech with him Joseph sd that his mother & he had agreed & was satisfied yt it should stand, & the widdow declared ye same in reference to her other children. Then ye court upon that ground that nothing being pr(e)sented by any to ye contrary ordered it to stand and left it to Newhauen court for ye prooueing of it & to order that part which concernes ye children. * I'm unable to determine what court is being referred to here - GDR ==================================================================== At a Court of Magistrates held at Newhauen the 25th of May, 1663 PAGE 466 RECORDS OF THE JURISDICTION OF NEW HAVEN [1663 The last will of Willm Potter, late of Newhauen, deceased, pr(e)sented to ye court, made the 19th of May, 1662 & witnessed by Deacon Richard Miles & Deacon Willm Pecke, prooued in court at Newhauen, March 3d, 1662/63 [350]¶ Alsoe in inuentory of ye estate of ye sd Willm Potter, pr(e)sented to ye court, amounting to ye sume of 161£, 02s, 07d taken August ye first, 1662, & vpon oath attested by Mr. Thomas Yale & Dauid Atwater, yt ye apprizemt was just to ye best of their light, in court at Newhauen, July 1st, 1662. END From: William Collins [wcollins128@comcast.net] Sent: Saturday, December 10, 2005 8:28 PM BEGIN I had received info that Wm & Frances Potter were both born in Moreton Hampstead, co. Devon, England My source was Patrick W. Conahey, Sr. END From: Chris Schopfer [cjschopfer@gmail.com] Sent: Thursday, April 27, 2006 12:32 AM BEGIN I haven't seen a source that documents Thomas as William's son, although one Ancestry.com poster, Kent McMahan kmcmahan.louisville@worldnet.att.net, lists several sources for his birth (see reference #1 at bottom). *Birth:* ABT 1635 in New Haven Co., CT 1 *Death:* 10 DEC 1703 in Shrewsbury, Monmouth Co., NJ 2 *Burial:* Freehold, Monmouth Co., NJ 3 *Note:* He came from Rhode Island and settled in Monmouth Co., NJ in 1670. In 1676 he lived in Shrewsbury and sold land recently purchased from the Indians. In 1684 he signed a document by his mark. In 1700 he made a deposition and declared himself to be "about seventie years." His will was written Nov. 2, 1702 and names his wife Sarah, sons Ephraim and Thomas, and daughters Susannah, Elizabeth and Mercy Wooley. *Father:* William Potter *Mother:* Frances (?) Potter *Marriage* 1 Ann (?) Potter b: in RI - *Married:* ABT 1662 in Newport, Newport Co., RI 4 Children 1. Mercy Potter b: in Newport, Newport Co., RI 2. Mary Potter b: JUL 1664 in Newport, Newport Co., RI 3. Ephraim Potter b: 24 JUN 1770+ in Shrewsbury, Monmouth Co., NJ *Marriage* 2 Sarah Bickley - *Married:* 29 JAN 1694/95 in Shrewsbury, Monmouth Co., NJ 5 Children 1. Thomas Potter 2. Susannah Potter 3. Elizabeth Potter *Sources:* 1. H.M.T. Dents Ancestry.com World Tree #32525. Ashley Gardner FTM "Descendants of Emanuel Wooley." Thomas Clayton Hughes FTM "Ancestors of Albert Franklin Hughes." 2. Debbie Barrett RootsWeb World Connect "Britton and Related families." James T. Snow RootsWeb World Connect file "Snow/Lyman Ancestors u3." 3. James T. Snow RootsWeb World Connect file "Snow/Lyman Ancestors u3." 4. H.M.T. Dents Ancestry.com World Tree #32525. 5. Debbie Barrett RootsWeb World Connect "Britton and Related families." END From: William Collins [wcollins128@comcast.net] Sent: Wednesday, April 26, 2006 10:07 PM BEGIN Many records can be found for two other children of Wm & Frances Potter: Thomas, c.1637 - 2 Nov 1702, marr. Ann Wainwright?, dau Mercy 1664-1735 marr. John Woolley Hannah 1638 - ??, marr. John Mead 1634 - 5 Feb 1699, had 17 children Granted, neither was mentioned in William's will. Did Jacobus identify their parents? Also, FWIW, I have correspondence from years ago that gives Frances (Child) Potter as being born 1609 in Moreton Hampstead, co. Devon, England, the daughter of John Child & Eve Pargrave; married 1633 in England to William Potter, and had son Joseph in England prior to immigrating on the ship "Abigail" from London, arriving in Boston July 1635. Her death was given as 1663 in Greenwich, CT .....Patrick W. Conahey, Sr. was my source.. END from https://commonheroes3.wordpress.com/11th-generation/potter-william-frances/ BEGIN POTTER, William & Frances Cliff McCarthy, 1995 & 2016 Last Updated 19 October 2017 William Potter, "husbandman," came to America in 1635 from London, aboard the ship Abigall. She sailed with about 220 passengers aboard along with livestock and smallpox. At age 27, William was accompanied by his wife Frances, age 26, and a child Joseph, age twenty weeks. They are listed on passenger lists, having signed up on the first of July. Note that William's mother, Hannah Potter Beecher, and brother John Potter were not with them on this voyage; they presumably joined them in America, at a later date. This was also the same voyage that brought Ralph and Thankslord Shepard, and their 2 year-old daughter Sara to New England. William & Frances Potter were among the founders of New Haven. Landing in Boston on 8 October 1635, they first resided in either Roxbury or Watertown, Massachusetts. By 1639, however, they were among the original settlers who, with Davenport and Eaton, established New Haven Colony (also called Quinnipiac). William signed the Fundamental Agreement in general town meeting in June 1639 establishing "thatt church members onely shall be free burgesses and they onely shall chuse among themselves magistrates and officers." William's brother John also signed the document, shortly afterwards. Also in New Haven by that time was the widow Hannah, the mother of John and William Potter by her first marriage. William joined the First Church in New Haven, probably in 1641. He received at least twelve acres in the first division of land in 1640, as a head of a household of four people. [For the location of William Potter's town lot, see the Brockett Map, 1641.] William Potter appears several times in the early records of New Haven colony. He was enumerated in the tax list of 1643 and also that year, "Brother Potter" (presumably William, since John had died by then) was fined one shilling for coming late to "trayning." After that, he was fined for carrying defective arms. He took the Oath of Allegiance in July of 1644. His name was recorded in the seatings of the meetinghouse in 1647, 1655, and 1661. William was certainly a husbandman, or "one who breeds and raises livestock," and may also have been a miller. In December of 1645, Brother Potter offered "to carry every man's grist from their hawse to the mill & bring it back againe to their hawse for 2d pr. bushell." In 1647, William Potter acquired land along the Quinnipiac River and in 1651 he purchased the farm house of Robert Newman. Atwater, in his History of the Colony of New Haven, wrote: "William Potter removed from his town-lot, if he ever built a house on it, to his farm on the west side of the Quinnipiac River." Apparently, his home was near the present Cedar Hill railroad station. He also owned 27 1/2 acres "in the east meadows between Mr. Crayne and Bro. Punderson" as well as 32 upland acres. In 1662, William Potter was called before the court to answer charges, brought by his own wife and son, "that he hath committed ye sin of bestiality with sundrie creatures." After initially denying the charges, he confessed, was excommunicated from the church, and sentenced to death. William Potter was hanged on the 6th of June that year. Cotton Mather wrote a sermon about this incident, published in his Magnalia Christi Americanus, in 1702. In his will, written May 19, 1662, William left the bulk of his estate to his younger son, Nathaniel, while also mentioning his older son Joseph and daughters Rebeckah and Hope. His other daughters, Mary and Sarah, were not named, but Sarah (by then with the married name Blakesley) is recorded in 1706 as acknowledging the receipt of her share of her father's estate. When the will was presented, at first his son Joseph challenged the provisions, but his mother dissuaded him and they settled the matter. The will was proved on March 3, 1663 and the estate was valued at over 190 pounds. Reading between the lines of the New Haven Town Records, one can see apparent controversy over William Potter's sentence or the way in which his execution was carried out. Apparently, the court had difficulty finding someone willing to perform this distasteful task. The man they settled on was Thomas Wheadon, who was previously an indentured servant to Deputy Governor Matthew Gilbert [for more, see GILBERT, Matthew & Jane (Baker)]. Shortly after the execution, Mr. Wheadon charged William Bassett & his wife with slandering him. The Bassetts were neighbors of the Potters and came to New England on the ship Abigail at the same time as the Potters. The Bassetts began speaking to others, saying they believed Thomas Wheadon served as the executioner for gain. They also thought the selection of Wheadon was "impudent" because he had been a good friend and neighbor of the Potters. In fact, Wheadon had once lived in the Potters' home. Ironically, William Potter had testified on Wheadon's behalf in the 1658 dispute between Wheadon and John Meigs over the terms of his indenture [for more, see GILBERT, Matthew & Jane (Baker)]. One Sunday on their way to church, Mrs. Bassett spoke her thoughts on Thomas Wheadon to Frances Potter and Mrs. Foote (this is likely William and Frances' daughter Sarah who by then was married to Robert Foote). Apparently, Frances Potter objected to Mrs. Bassett's comments and Mrs. Foote agreed. Mrs. Bassett told them "the truth was to be knowne on ye Sabbath day as well as at other times." The Bassetts were summoned to court, reprimanded, and fined 40 shillings. They apologized. However, William Bassett indicated in his testimony that Joseph Mansfield also didn't think the sentence against William Potter was just. Joseph Mansfield was married to Mary Potter, daughter of William and Frances Potter. It is telling that, in Joanne Walroth's words: "although each of the six Potter children would eventually marry and raise a large family, none of them named a child either William or Frances. In an age when it was customary for a couple to name children for both maternal and paternal grandparents, it is surely evidence of deep levels of stress within the family that not one of the Potter children used these names." Children of William & Frances POTTER WILLIAM POTTER was born 1608 in England, and died 6 June 1662 in New Haven, CT. He married FRANCES Bef. 1633 in England. She was born Abt. 1609. The Children of WILLIAM POTTER and FRANCES are: i. JOSEPH POTTER, b. Abt. March 1634/35, England; d. 17 August 1669, New Haven, CT; m. PHEBE IVES, Bef. 1660; b. Bef. 2 October 1642; d. Abt. 1682, Branford, New Haven Co., CT. ii. MARY POTTER, b. Abt. 1637; m. JOSEPH MANSFIELD, Abt. 1657. iii. SARAH POTTER, b. Abt. 1639; d. Aft. 1706; m. (1) ROBERT FOOTE, 1659; m. (2) AARON BLAKESLEY, 1686. iv. HOPE POTTER, b. Bef. 3 October 1641; m. DANIEL ROBINSON, 3 February 1662/63, New Haven, CT; b. Abt. 1640; d. 1714. v. REBECCA POTTER, b. Abt. 1643; m. (1) JOHN THORPE; m. (2) THOMAS ADAMS, 27 November 1667, New Haven, CT. vi. NATHANIEL POTTER, b. Abt. 1644; m. ELIZABETH HOWE, 1 April 1675, New Haven, CT. SOURCES: 1. Atwater, Edward E., History of the City of New Haven to the Present Time, (W.W. Munsell & Co., New York, 1887). 2. Atwater, Edward E., History of the Colony of New Haven to Its Absorption into Connecticut, Vol. I, (The Journal Publishing Co., Meriden, Conn., 1902). 3. Blue, Jon C., The Case of the Piglet's Paternity, (Wesleyan University Press, Middletown, CT, 2015). 4. Calder, Isabel MacBeath, The New Haven Colony, (Yale University Press, New Haven, 1934). 5. Clark, Jr., Harman R., "William Potter and Some of His Descendants," unpublished manuscript, 1996. 6. Dexter, Franklin Bowditch, Historical Catalogue of the Members of the First Church of Christ in New Haven, Connecticut, 1639-1914, (New Haven, 1914). 7. Ferris, Mary Walton, Dawes-Gates Ancestral Lines, vol, 2, 1931. 8. Hartley, Rachel M., The History of Hamden, Connecticut, 1786-1936, (Hamden, Connecticut, 1943). 9. Hoadly, Charles J.. Records of the Colony or Jurisdiction of New Haven, 1653 to the Union, (Case, Lockwood & Co., Hartford, 1858). 10. Jacobus, Donald Lines, Families of Ancient New Haven, (Genealogical Publishing Co.; Baltimore, MD, 1981). 11. Mather, Cotton, Magnalia Christi Americanus, Book VI, Thaumaturgus, Appendix - Section III, 1702, (courtesy of the New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, MA). 12. Potter, Charles Edward, Genealogies of the Potter Families & Their Descendants in America, (Alfred Mudge & Son, Boston, 1888). 13. Roberts, Gary Boyd, "Genealogies of Connecticut Families" from the New England Historic Genealogical Register, (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1983). 14. Shepard, James, "New Haven (Conn.) Potters, 1639," (New England Historic Genealogical Society Register, January 1900), "Electronic." 15. Walroth, Joanne Ruth, "Beyond Legal Remedy: Divorce in Seventeenth-Century Woodbridge, New Jersey," in New Jersey History, Vol. 105, Fall/Winter 1987. 16. "William Potter and Some of His Descendants," unpublished manuscript by Harman R. Clark, Jr., Dunellen, NJ, 1996 END email exchange ... BEGIN Sender:Robyn Post Date/Time:2011-01-14 11:29:17 Subject:Re: William Potter, was] Formatting My opinion, in brief, Oh, so not proven! When I first saw Sara's description of her phone conversation with Sarah Robbins Lehman, in which SRL told our Sara that she was so pleased not to be related to the NJ bunch as they descended from Thomas Robinson a rapist, Wm Potter a sexual pervert & Joseph Robins, Jr. a murderer. I reacted with amused skepticism. My verbal response to this sort of thing is usually a gently sarcastic, I seeee. History is seldom as graven in stone as we might like to think. The fact that the accusation was initiated by Potter's wife and a son, in light of the later disposition of his estate, suggest to me, as well as to Sara, that this was a dysfunctional family. The legal system was different in those days, too. Today, it's unlikely that a civil body would turn such a matter over to a religious body, and then (if I correctly understand what happened) perform an execution based on the results. A quick look at a wikipedia entry indicates that the Inquisition was in operation in Europe in the mid-1600s indeed, into the 1800s. Although the Inquisition was a Catholic institution rather than a Protestant one, it seems likely that the Inquisitions concerns, and its methods, influenced thinking of the times. We don't know what the interrogation was like, especially whether its purpose was to reveal truth, or to confirm a judgment already made. That William Potter emerged from it a confused man without hope is what brought the Inquisition, its goals, and its methods, to my mind. The subsequent record indicating who benefited financially does make me wonder, too. We would all like to think that all from whom we're descended were as upright and virtuous as we are. (We've never erred nor transgressed, of course.) But in face, we can't choose our relatives retroactively, not in honesty. But we can remind ourselves that we never know the whole story. Thanks, Sara, for fleshing out the story for us, as much as is possible at this distance in time. Sender:Marshall Lake Post Date/Time:2011-01-15 11:59:49 Subject:Re: That Crazy Potter Family I agree with everything said below. Maybe someone (or a group) online can be located who is experienced in how the Catholic religion was integrated into our US society during that time period. Maybe, by reading the court records, an experienced person/group can offer an evaluation. I once had several questions about how things were done during the Rev War and obtained great information by posting my questions to the Usenet group soc.history.war.us-revolution A couple of other comments/questions I have ... The whole scenerio (as presented by Sara) certainly does seem fishy to me. I would like to know what happened to Frances Potter after the hanging. Did she remarry? Did she stay where she lived for the remainder of her life? I would have the same questions about Joseph (as Dorman mentioned). Was he living at home at the time of the hanging? Could it be that the son was not named in the court records because he was a minor? Sender:"Sara Hoffman" Post Date/Time:2011-01-18 16:56:39 Subject:William Potter I appreciate all of the responses on William Potter. There is so much about the William Potter family & the dynamics of their family relationships that we will never be able to understand or answer. Your questions, comments & thoughts have added a lot to the study of this family. Thanks for sharing them. Re: Joseph Potter, he died in 1669 at age 34. He was married about 1660 & had one son & two daughters born between 1661 & his death. I haven't found any record for him as a land owner. Most likely he was living on his father's farm in 1662, the land he had expected to inherit. John Cotton wrote "New Haven's Settling in New England & Some Laws for Government in 1656." It can be found online if anyone is interested in what he proposed for New Haven Colony. It appears these laws were enacted by New Haven Colony. Under a section in his book, "Of the Right of Inheritance" it reads, "Observe, if a man have more sons than one, then a double portion to be assigned and bequeathed to the eldest son, according to the law of nature. Unless his own demerit do deprive him of the dignity of his birthright." Joseph Potter was deprived of his birthright. The reason for the loss of his birthright is unknown or if this law was used to justifiy depriving Joseph of his birthright. Re: Frances Potter, no record has been found for her after her court appearance in March 1663. Her name wasn't used for any of her grandchildren including the children of Joseph. Re: Religion in New Haven. The New Haven Colony Puritans had a theocratic form of government. John Cotton's work lists 24 crimes deserving capital punishment based on Mosaic Law. The New Haven Colony was less tolerant than the MA Bay Colony. However, both rejected any Catholic or Anglican influence in their society & severely persecuted Quakers, Baptists, Catholics etc. END "Ancestors of Morris Robinette Frazee", Carlyle E. Hystad, First Edition, March 2008 BEGIN The Potter Family, Early Settlers of New Haven, Connecticut William Potter and his wife Frances (ancestors of Moses R. Frazee) came from England to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1635 as part of a Puritan group. He was 27 years old at the time, and Frances was 26. They came with their baby son Joseph. They initially settled in Boston, and about two years later William Potter’s brother, John, and his mother Hannah and her second husband, John Beecher, came from England and joined them in Boston. These relatives came to Boston as part of a Puritan group of about 500, led by Rev. John Davenport and Theophilus Eaton. These men decided that there was a tainted religious climate in Boston - the Puritans there were too liberal for their liking! So they decided to start a new colony elsewhere. They were going to create a Christian Utopia. This was shortly after the infamous Pequot War in which the militia from Massachusetts Bay and Plymouth colonies had slaughtered over 400 native men, women and children at the settlement in the Connecticut River valley, and the returning soldiers spread stories about the attractive land available there (now that the natives had been wiped out). So the good Reverend dispatched a party of men to explore the area. The exploration party included William Potter’s step-father, John Beecher. They chose an area suitable for their settlement, which is now called New Haven, Connecticut. Since winter was approaching, they decided to wait until spring to move the entire congregation from Boston to the new settlement, and they left seven men there to lay claim to the place and prepare for the move. John Beecher was one of those who stayed, and he died there that winter. In the spring of 1638 the congregation moved to the new settlement of New Haven. William Potter, his wife Frances, his son Joseph, his mother Hannah, and his brother John, all moved to New Haven with the group. Both William and John Potter signed the New Haven Agreement in 1639 that set the terms for the residents of the settlement. William’s home lot was located on the west side of the Quinipiac River, near present Cedar Hill railroad station. William Potter’s name appeared frequently in the early records of New Haven, including those showing his increased standing in the church (based on his seating assignments in the church), but also a number of fines for offenses ranging from absence at military training, improper care of arms, to failure to submit a timely inventory for taxation. In about 1641, William and Frances had a daughter, named Hope Potter (ancestor of Moses R. Frazee). She was one of seven children of William and Frances. In addition to Joseph, the oldest, and Hope, the fourth child, there were Mary, Sarah, Rebecca, and Nathaniel. In 1659 William’s mother Hannah died and William was appointed executor of her will. She left two-thirds of her estate to William and one-third to Isaac Beecher, the son of her second husband. In 1662, William was accused, by his wife Frances and his son (apparently his eldest son Joseph) of bestiality. He was tried and convicted by the New Haven Magistrates (his New Haven neighbors), and was sentenced to be executed by hanging. The execution was carried out on June 6, 1662. The official record of the trial of William Potter has been retained in the records of New Haven, and is presented below because it provides a window into the thinking of these people who were intent on creating a “Christian Utopia”. At a Court of Magistrates, held at Newhaven for the Jurisdiction, the 26th of May, 1662. Present, the Government, Deputy Governor, Mr. Fen, Mr. Treat, Mr. Crane, Magistrates. William Potter was called before the court to answer to what charge or accusation as they understand from examination is layd against him, viz: that he hath comitted the sin of bestiality with sundrie creatures. The Governor told him, that first he must mind him of his carriage before the magistrate: when he was examined, that when you heard what your wife & son testified to your face, yet you was not affected as you should have beene, whether true or false, but stood in a stupid way, making deniall of what was testified that they could not fasten it as a charge against him, yet told him that the puidence of God was soe strange in it, (his neare relations thus charging of him.) that if he was guilty God would bring it forth to light, & soe, with as much solemnes as they could, left it with him & alsoe with Mr. Gilbert to gainne any further discovery as he could; and now it seemes since, (it may be by some better dealing with him in the busines, & Gods jealousie against him.) God hath brought it forth out of his owne mouth; and seeing the church hath done their duty, which they well approved of, they as ministere of justice call him to account, to speake the truth in the case, & deale plainely, as standing before the great God of heaven & earth, his judge & theirs, & to make acknowledgment of the facts, how, when, & with what creatures. He answered that first when he was before the magistrates he answered with a distinction, & thought their testimony could not take away his life, but being before the church & helped over something that stucke with him, he did confesse & judge himselfe worthy to be cut off from among men & to be given over to be among devills; And now he confessed more paticularly, the first time he said was in old England, at prentise, when he was about eleven yeare old, & after when he came to New England these temptations followed him, though sometimes they left him some yeares together, & then he thought God did worke upon his soule, & the temptation left him a great while, but after he coming to live at Mr. Gilberts farme it returned againe, & he acted with a cow wiich is now gone, & after coming to his owne farme his lust followed him, though he thought he should have got power against it, & When the man was hanged for the same act he was much startled, but after still the temptation went on, & it strooke a dampe upon his spirit that it was not right with him, & there he acted first with a bitch, which he hanged thinking he should be free from the temptation when she was gone, but it still pursued him, & he acted this wickednes wth two sowes, one of which was that of which his son testifies, there is alsoe a yeareling heifer, a two yeare old, and a cow that he had beene vilely naught withall this spring, alsoe three sheepe, of which he said he told his wife which they were; these was all he said, only his attempting with his old mare which is now dead; & then confessed that he had gone far from God, but prayed, & desired their prayers, that he might not goe further from him and desired to have what meanes might be affoarded for his everlasting good, acknowledging the Lord to be righteous whatever became of him. He was asked with what he covered these wicked courses? He answered that he went on against the checkes of his conscience, & did not consider the compasse of his sin, he had some dislikes of it but was overcome still, & when he son discovered him, he had noe heart to speake to him, but was affected with teares, that he, being an old man, should be a foole in his latter end. He was minded of his sin before the magistrates, that he should speake soe against his knowne light, & of his excusing it to his wife when she told him of it. He said he thought his excusing of it to her was a forerunner of these sins after. Much was said by him by way of acknowledgment of his evill, but in a confused way, as that sometimes he was filled with horror & that his sin lay upon him night & day, & that he was such sins the nature of them did harden his heart, & that he was filled with shame & confusion for the dishonor that he had done to God & that he had caused the name of God to be blasphemed among the heathen. He was told that such sins was judiciary sins, according to Rom. 1, 24, when men like not to retaine God in their knowledge, they are just judgments of God upon such under such light as he hath lived under, & that he should come to such a degree of sinning & to such an age ws a thing to admiration & astonishment of all that heares him. He said he thinkes now all he did was to be seene of men, though sometimes he had other thoughts, yet now he hath nothing but his sin left upon him & is discouraged, & his sins affright him from God, though sometimes some hopes may be in him. He was asked what pvoking sin he sees that might pvoke God thus to leave him? He answered that he had neglected duty in secret, & had not kept his watch over himself & way, & was very unconstant in family duties formerly, though something better of late. He was asked how he was educated? He answered, well, & was taught to reade. He was then seriously advised & warned to take in the agravations of his sin, for he had beene a continuall liver in this sin from his childhood, & that he had beene exceedingly hardened in it, that he should goe on in it after he saw others put to death for the same acts & such like, & was told that his sins was wonderfull, therefore was wished to be serious about repentance, & to take heed he did not word it out to the last. He was further questioned, that seeing he had acknowledged more then was charged against him, whether he had not defiled himselfe with any woman besides his wife. He answered noe, neither with woman, mayd nor child, that was certaine. The Court haveing considered the case p'ceeded to sentence, & first read the charges to him, & then the Governor asked him if he had anything to say why the court should not p'ceede to judge him according to the law. He answered noe, but his great matter was betweene God & his soule, to desire him to give him repentance. The Governor then declared, that seeing it is soe, they could doe noe otherwise, and he therefore in the name of the court did declare to William Potter that the law read was the sentence of the court, to be executed upon him, viz: that he be hanged on the gallowes till he be dead, & then cut downe & buried, & the creatures with whome he hath thus sinfully acted to be put to death before his eyes. He answered that he had in himselfe the sentence of death before For the time of his execution, it was left to the magistrates of Newhaven with the advise of the elders. Some researchers believe that William was suffering from a mental disorder at the time, and was not capable of even understanding the charges against him. The above record itself recognizes the confused nature of his responses to the charges. But that did not deter them from carrying out their Christian duties. It’s interesting how similar their thinking was to that of some current Islamic religious leaders. William was given time to make a Will before his execution. His property was valued at 190 pounds, and he gave his farms to his youngest son Nathaniel, even though he was not yet 21 years old. And he graciously permitted his wife (and accuser) to live on the farm and instructed his son Nathaniel to provide her a comfortable living if she continued a widow. He left his daughters Hope and Rebecca each a sum of money to be paid them when their “mother sees good to pay it them.” The execution of people for such “crimes” as bestiality was not unusual in the Puritan colonies of early New England. There was a long list of actions or speech that demanded the death penalty in these colonies. If you should dare to suggest that the religious leaders were using religion as a “device to keep ignorant men in awe”, you shall be put to death. Following is a list of the “Capitall Lawes” of the New Haven colony. It helpfully includes references to the verses in the bible that require such punishment. Capitall Lawes IT is Ordered, &c. That if any person after legall, or other due conviction, shall have, or worship any other God, but the Lord God, he shall be put to death, Exod. 22. 20. Deut. 13. 6. 10. Deut. 17. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. If any person be a Witch, he or she shall be put to death, according to Exod. 22. 18. Levit. 20. 27. Deut. 18. 10, 11. If any person within this Jurisdiction, professing the true God, shall wittingly and willingly presume to blaspheme the holy name of God, Father, Son, or Holy Ghost, with direct, expresse, presumptuous, or high-handed blasphemy, either by willfull or obstinate denying the true God, father, Son, or Holy ghost, or reproach the holy Religion of God, as if it were but a politick device to keep ignorant men in awe; or shall utter any other kind of blasphemy of like nature, and degree, such person shall be put to death. Lev. 24. 15, 16. If any person shall commit any wilfull murder, if he shall kill any man, woman or child, upon premeditated malice, hatred, or cruelty (not in a way of necessary and just defence, nor by meer casualty against his will) he shall be put to death. Exod. 21. 12, 13. Numb. 35. 31. If any person slayeth another suddenly in anger, or cruelty of passion, he shall be put to death, Levit. 24. 17. Numb. 35. 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21. If any person come presumptuosly to slay another with guile, whether by any kinde of force, Poyson, or ther wicked practice, every such person shall be put to Death. Exod. 21. 14. Agreeing with Deut. 19. 19. By parity of Reason. If any man or woman, shall lye with any beast, or bruite creature by carnall Copulation, he, or she, shall surely be put to death, and the beast shall be slaine, buried, and not eaten. Levit. 20. 15, 16. If any man lyeth with mankinde, as a man lyeth with a woman, both of them have Committed abomination, they both shall surely be put to death. Levit. 20. 13. And if any woman change the naturall use, into that which is against nature, as Rom. 1, 26. she shall be liable to the same Sentence, and punishment, Or if any person, or persons, shall Commit any other kinde of unnaturall and shamefull filthines, called in Scripture the going after strange flesh, or other flesh then God alloweth, by carnall knowledge of another vessel then God in nature hath appointed to become one flesh, whether it by abusing the contrary part of a grown woman, or Child of either sex, or unripe vessel of a Girle, wherein the naturall use of the woman is left, which God hath ordained for the propagation of posterity, and Sodomiticall filthinesse (tending to the destruction of the race of mankind) is committed by a kind of Rape, nature being forced, though the will were inticed, every such person shall be put to death. Or if any man shall act upon himself, and in the sight of others spill his owne seed, by example, or counsel, or both, corrupting or tempting others to doe the like, which tends to the sin of Sodomy, if it be not one kind of it; or shall defile or corrupt himself and others, by any other kind of sinfull filthinesse, he shall be punished according to the nature of the offence; Or if the case considered with the aggravating circumstances, shall according to the mind of God revealed in his word require it, he shall be put to death, as the Court of Magistrates shall determine. Provided that if in any of the former cases, one of the parties were forced, and so abused against his or her will, the innocent person (crying out, or in due season complaining) shall not be punished, Or if any of the offending parties were under fourteen year old, when the sin was committed, such person shall onely be severely corrected, as the Court of Magistrates considering the age, and other circumstances, shall judge meet. If any man married, or single, commit Adultery with a marryed or espoused wife, the Adulterer and Adulteresse shall surely be put to death. Lev. 18. 20. Lev. 20. 10. Deut. 22. 23, 24. If any person rise up by false witnesse, wittingly and of purpose to take any mans life, that person shall be put to death. Deut. 19. 16, 18, 19. If any person shall conspire, and attempt any invasion, insurrection, or publick Rebillion against this Jurisdiction, or shall endeavour to surprize, or seize any Plantation, or Town, any Fortification, Platform, or any great Guns provided for the defence of the Jurisdiction, or any Plantation therein; or shall treacherously and perfidiously attempt the alteration and subversion of the frame of policy, or fundamentall Government laid, and setled for this Jurisdiction, he or they shall be put to death. Numb. 16. 2 Sam 18. 2 Sam 20. Or if any person shall consent unto any such mischievous practice, or by the space of foure and twenty houres conceale it, not giving notice thereof to some Magistrate, if there be any Magistrate in the Plantation, or place where he liveth, or if none, to some Deputy for the Jurisdiction, or to the Constable of the place, that the publick safty may be seasonably provided for, he shall be put to death, or severely punished, as the Court of Magistrates weighing all circumstances shall determine. If any Child, or Children, above sixteen year old, and of competent understanding shall curse, or smite, his, her, or their naturall father, or mother, each such Child shall be put to death. Exod. 21. 17. Levit. 20. 9. Exod 21. 15. Unless it be proved, that the Parents have been very unchristianly negligent in the education of such Child, or Children, or so provoked them by extream and cruell correction, or usage, That they have been urged or forced thereunto, to preserve themselves from death or maiming. If any man have a stubborn Rebellious Son, of sufficient Age and understanding, namely sixteen year old, or upward, which will not obey the voyce of his father, or the voyce of his mother, and that when they have chastned him, will not hearken unto them, then shall his father and his mother (being his naturall Parents) lay hold on him, and bring him to the Magistrates assembled in Court, and testifie unto them, that their Son is stubborn and rebellious, and will not obey their voyce and chastisement, but lives in sundry notorious crimes; such a Son shall be put to death, Deut. 21 18 19, 20, 21. If any man shall ravish any maid, or single woman, who is above the age of ten years, committing carnall copulation with her by force, against her own will, he shall be severely and grievously punished, as the Court of Magistrates considering all circumstances shall determine. Readers might note that after the long list of actions requiring the death penalty, the rape of a young maid above the age of ten did not require the death penalty. Apparently the men of the colony wanted to leave themselves a little wiggle room for such indiscretions. William Potter’s family appears in court records again in 1666, as a result of a child born out of wedlock to great-aunt Rebecca Potter, Hope Potter’s sister. The Court Record follows: At a Court held at New Haven the 7th of August 1666 "John Thorpe and Rebeckah Potter were called; the said Rebeckah having charged the said Thorpe with abusing her and being the father of the child she now has; she was told that she was a sad object before the Court, and therefore was now called to speak the truth in the case concerning the person she charged to be the father of her child, and was told that God had spared her life when she was in danger, they desired she might improve it for her good: "She answered, that one time as she was coming back from the mill, John Thorpe was in the way of gathering nuts, and he took hold on the horse bridle and pulled her down and would have her gather nuts, and they went a little way together, and he said he would lie with her, but she objecting against it, and he answered that he would do a maid no wrong with that, and then he had the use of her body and so he went away; this was in indian harvest last. "The second time was at Goodman Clark's hulking time. The day before she said she went to the towne and spake to John Thorpe and Sam Cooke to come up to the husk at her mother's; and so they came the next night and, and when they had done hulking as they was going home to the towne, they called in at Goodman Clark's house where she was, (Goodman Clark and his wife being gone to Connecticut and having leave of her mother for her to be there until they came home), then John Thorpe took her by the hand and deferred a private room to be with her in; Martha Wakefield told her they might go into the stone room and so they did and was there an hour or more together; and in the room was a bed and pulled her down and said he would have the use of her body and said again as before that he would do her no wrong, that is, she thought she should not be with child and so it would not be known, etc. "The midwife was called to know what she had to say in the case, who answered that in the time of Rebeckah's greatest extremity she put her to it to speak the truth about the father of the child, and she said that there was no other but John Thorpe had anything to do with her upon that account: and he was the father of the child. "John Thorpe was called and asked what he had to say hearing what he was charged with. He answered that he could not accuse himself, he confessed that he see her the first time pass by him, but he said nothing to her except it were, God be with you; but Rebeckah replied in Court to his face that she could show him the walnut bush he tied her horse to: And for the second time, though he denied that he was in the stone room with her, yet he confessed he was with her alone in another room half an hour; but denied the fact charged. "The Court having heard what he could say, and finding him false in his answers, and rendering himself apparently suspicious of being guilty of the fact charged by several circumstances, did by way of sentence declare, that the John Thorpe be severely whipped and kept in custody until he give bond for the keeping of the child. "And for Rebeckah Potter, the court having told her the greatness of her sin by way of sentence declared, That though her fact deserves the like punishment, yet considering her work as a nurse that she only pay two pound ten shillings fine to the treasury, and stand by John Thorpe when the sentence is inflicted on him. Another Ancestor in New Haven Daniel Robbins (or Robins or Robinson) (ancestor of Moses R. Frazee) was born in Scotland about 1627. He fought with the troops of Prince Charles II, who was trying to restore the monarchy after the beheading of Charles I, and Daniel was captured in the battle of Worcester in 1651 by Lord Cromwell's army. He was transported to London as a prisoner, tried, convicted and sentenced to exile in the colonies. He was shipped to Boston aboard the John and Sarah and “sold” as an indentured servant to Nathaniel Foote and was moved to New Haven. Following his period of indenture, he married Hope Potter in about 1663 in New Haven. Daniel and Hope and children moved to Woodbridge, New Jersey in about 1669, after their first two children were born. Daniel Robbins is the first ancestor from Scotland that I have found in America. Prior to about 1683 there were not any large migrations of people from Scotland or Northern Ireland to America. Records show that about 150 Scottish soldiers captured by Cromwell’s army in 1650 were sent to New England, and about 900 were sent to Virginia. After the battle of Worcestor in 1651, about another 300 Scottish prisoners were sent to Boston. The prisoners were sold as indentured servants in most cases. Daniel Robbins was among this latter group of prisoners. These Scots were generally treated as outcasts, and were considered to be an under-class in New England (slightly above the native Americans). END